Once the Curse of Reversed Likability Was Lifted, My Party Members Became Unbearably Heavy
The clamor of the royal capital faded into the distance.
The narrow alleyway branching off the shopping district echoed with the sound of dry wind on damp cobblestones, casting deep shadows despite the daylight.
“…It’s kinda dark here, huh?”
Ren glanced around.
“Let’s get through this quickly.”
He said—and in that instant.
Shuffle.
With the sound of footsteps came a shadow.
“…Finally found you, you shitty hero.”
A low, damp voice.
From the shadows deeper in the alley, a lanky man emerged.
The bandage wrapped around one arm was filthy, his gleaming eyes clouded with hatred and impatience.
“Ren!!”
Rina, who had been walking behind, cried out and started running toward Ren.
But the attacker had already closed the distance to Ren.
Without a word, only the flash of the knife in his hand approached sharply.
Ren’s expression turned serious, and he moved reflexively.
Clang.
He parried the knife with his bare hand, wrenched the attacker’s wrist upward, and instantly threw him off balance.
The next instant, the man collapsed to his knees, the knife clattering to the ground.
“…Guh…!”
Only a pained groan echoed through the narrow alley.
Ren stepped back, dropping his guard.
“Everyone, I am okay.”
After saying this to the four, Ren approached the fallen man and peered at his face.
The shadow lifted, revealing his face at last.
That face looked familiar.
“…You. A while back. Robbery… The guy I caught?”
The man twisted his lips into a grimace.
“Ha… Finally remembered, you piece of shit…”
His mouth twitched, but his eyes burned clearly with hatred for Ren.
“Getting caught by you… I lost everything…! My family… my job… all because of you…!”
Ren furrowed his brow slightly and spoke in a calm, steady voice.
“I only protected the townspeople. You have no reason to seek revenge on me.”
The man laughed as if spitting out words.
“You ruined my life!! You’re lucky, aren’t you, Hero?! Everyone fawns over you!!”
“That’s not—”
“Shut up!! Dieee!!”
The man rose and lunged at Ren again.
But this time, before Ren could react, Rina kicked him hard in the side.
THUD.
The man flew several meters, crashing into a garbage dump and knocking himself unconscious.
“H-hey, Rina, that was too much—”
“Ren sama!! Are you alright!? I’ll cast a healing spell now!”
“No, Celia, I’m not hurt, I’m fine—H-hey, Noel! You didn’t have to finish him off!!”
“…Kill…”
After that, Ren managed to calm the three down and handed the attacking man over to the guards.
Night at the Royal Castle.
In one corner of the overly spacious reception hall sat a compact round table.
Seated around it were—Celia, Rina, Noel, and Iris.
Herbal tea and baked sweets lined the table.
The atmosphere should have been calm…
But Celia was the first to collapse face-first onto the table.
“Haahhhhhhh…! Today I… lost my composure again and caused trouble for Ren sama…!”
Rina also clutched her head,
“… W-What about me…! Seeing Ren suddenly attacked made my blood run cold… I wasn’t in my right mind…!”
As for Noel, she held her cup sullenly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“…That was… reflexive, I guess… my body just acted on its own… B-But… to lose my composure so utterly… I really… want to die…”
All three regretted their “runaway” actions.
Each was aware they’d lost their minds excessively and rushed over the instant Ren was attacked.
Amidst this, Iris timidly opened her mouth.
“Um… but, everyone was acting out of concern for Ren-san…”
All three gazes turned to her at once, and Iris hurriedly straightened her back.
“R-Ren-san… it was really dangerous… I was so shocked, I just froze and couldn’t do anything…”
Rina shook her head vigorously.
“No, Iris-chan. If Ren had been taken out by that man, we would have…”
Iris couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
“…Ahaha…”
The three fell silent together, then sipped their herbal tea in unison.
The atmosphere was somehow awkward, yet just a little funny.
Iris slowly searched for words as she looked at the three of them.
“…Um…”
They lifted their faces.
“Everyone… I think you all care so deeply about Ren-san that you just… overreacted.”
Silence.
Iris continued.
“Ren-san is so kind, always putting others before himself… So I understand why you worry.”
Celia murmured softly, “Iris-san…”
Iris smiled shyly.
Noel lowered her eyes and murmured softly.
“Yeah… I guess… The reason we weren’t calm back there… was all because of Ren…
Rina took a deep breath and continued.
“…because we like him, right…”
Celia placed a hand over her heart and nodded quietly.
Iris looked at the three of them and smiled softly.
“Hehe, I knew. …I might not be much help either, but I won’t lose!”
The three stared at Iris, momentarily surprised—
Then, the air relaxed gently.
“…Ah, speaking of which, Iris-chan, you liked those baked goods earlier, right?”
Rina pushed a plate forward.
“Eh? Ah, yes! Thank you!”
“You can have mine too. It was pretty obvious from your face.”
Noel murmured, sliding her plate over.
“Iris-san, thank you for always looking out for Ren.”
Celia said gently.
“Ah… n-no… I-I should be the one thanking you…”
Iris blushed as she dutifully accepted the baked goods.
Just a week ago, this “girls’ gathering” would have been unimaginable.
Would the day ever come when Ren realized how they felt…?